Rogue Angel - Warrior Spirit Part 40

"We're not lovers," Annja said.

"Oh? And that dalliance by the waterfall? What was that?"

Had everyone in the world seen her make love to Ken? Annja sighed. "I think we're still trying to work out exactly what that was. But neither of us is getting hung up on it."

"Exactly," Ken said.

"How nice you've got that understood," Garin said. "But I'll still kill him if you pull that blade out."

"I'm not pulling it out. It's been acting funny anyway lately."

Garin blanched. "It has?"

"Yes."

"I don't suppose you'd care to elaborate on how it's been acting funny, would you?"

Annja pointed. "I don't suppose you'd care to toss the gun out of the window and act like a civilized person for a change?"

"I don't think so."

Annja nodded. "So, I guess this will be something I talk over with Roux, then. I'm sure he'll be most interested. Even more so when he finds out that he's got valuable information that you don't have."

Garin frowned. "That's not fair, Annja. I helped you acquire that sword."

"I never wanted the sword. I was simply there at the right moment and you and Roux didn't have a chance to get your greedy mitts on it."

"You're punishing me."

"Yes. And you're not going to get Ken's vajra vajra."

Garin chewed his lip. "You could be lying. Making the whole thing up. Just to protect your boyfriend here."

"Yep," Annja said. "I could be. But you won't ever know, will you?"

Garin stayed quiet for a moment. Annja shook her head. "Is this why you approached me in the hotel? When you tried to warn me about Ken? Planting all that stuff in my mind that he might not be who he said he was? Was it all for this? Just to get the vajra vajra?"

"Will you be mad if I say yes?"

Annja smirked. "No. I'll chalk it up to you just being you. And to think I thought you were actually concerned about me. Well, at least until you went after that waitress."

"I have needs," Garin said. "Don't begrudge me my primal desires."

"Whatever." Annja saw they were approaching the heart of Ueno. "Were you on our tail ever since the hotel?"

"Yes."

"And you saw, presumably, everything that happened?"

Garin shrugged. "There were a few instances where you went to ground and I couldn't locate you. But I tagged your other interested parties, knowing they'd lead me back to you, and here I am now."

"Thanks for all the help."

"My pleasure." Garin cleared his throat. "You really won't tell me what's been going on, will you?"

"Not one word of information as long as you think about stealing the vajra vajra from Ken." from Ken."

"And if I play nice and let him keep it?"

"I might think about sitting you and Roux down and having a chat about what's been going on," Annja said.

"It would have to be neutral ground. The crazy fool still wants to kill me even though he claims he doesn't."

"Neutral ground is fine."

Garin sighed. "I'd really like that vajra vajra."

"So take it," Annja said. "Enjoy it. But it probably won't help you when it comes time to deal with Roux or your own destiny."

Garin shook his head. "All right, fine. Whatever. You win. I won't take it."

Annja looked at him. "I want your word of honor or whatever it is you hold dearest to your soul."

Garin held up his hand. "You have my word as a master of the horizontal tango that I will never endeavor to steal Ken's precious vajra vajra. Are we done now?"

Ken pulled over to the curb, got out and went to the trunk. He took out his backpack and Annja's and then walked over to Annja's door.

"Ready?"

Annja got out of the car and shouldered her pack. Garin looked out from the back seat.

Ken tossed him the keys. "The rental agency is down the road about a mile. You'd better get it ga.s.sed up first, though, or they'll charge you."

"Charge me? Now wait a minute, this is your car-"

Ken shook his head. "No, it's registered under your name. You see, I took the liberty of shadowing Annja, too. And when I saw you taking such an interest in her, I decided it might be a good idea to know who you were. Not an easy task-you're quite the interesting fellow."

Garin said nothing.

"But," Ken continued, "I managed to dig up some stuff on you. Nothing too big, but a usable credit card number and a nifty pa.s.sport photo. Anyway, I charged our entire trip to your credit card, so expect that bill to be coming in soon."

"You son of a b.i.t.c.h," Garin shouted.

Ken shook his head. "Nope. I was legit, but thanks for asking."

Annja waved to him. "Goodbye, Garin."

He got out of the car. "I'll expect to hear from you, Annja."

"You will."

Garin tossed the keys into his other hand. He grinned at Ken. "Nice meeting you, pal."

Ken bowed. "The pleasure, as they, was all mine."

Annja looped her arm in Ken's and nudged him. "Come on, we've got a train to catch."

As they walked to the station, Ken glanced back in time to see Garin drive off. "You think he'll be okay?" he asked.

"He's managed for many years," Annja said. "I don't think he'll have too much trouble."

Ken stopped. "Maybe I should have told him about the explosives I stowed in the trunk."

"You didn't," Annja said laughing.

Ken shrugged. "It's the stuff we got from Jiro. I needed to put it somewhere." He sighed. "That just might delay your friend and give us enough time to put some distance between us."

Annja dragged Ken toward the train station. "Good. Now let's talk about that dinner you owe me."